portfolio a rc h i te ctu re
+
2015_20 selected works
desi gn
a d i t ya u n n i t h a n
Aditya Unnithan Architect & Designer 22 | Indian National
Hello! As an architect what excites me the most are spaces that evoke emotion(s), spatial perception, functional dynamism & the interdimensional interaction that binds them. While exploring various typologies: residential, commercial, cultural & urban design, I started to wonder if every building aided its context through additional functions then we might have fewer buildings and therefore more open spaces.
contact me:
An environmentalist at heart, I strive to find solutions that benefit it through passive techniques and computational design. I also have a proclivity towards public & human-centric design and propose to continue to explore these fields.
+91_7582036550
The following is a selected compilation of my ideas and works. I hope you enjoy them!
English Hindi Malayalam Tamil German & French (beginner)
aditya.unnithan01@gmail.com Mumbai India
reference:
education: 2015_20
Undergrad | School of Planning and Architecture Bhopal
2011_15
High School | American International School Israel Rajhans Vidhyalaya Mumbai
Dr. Tapas Mitra Head of Department, MUD SPA Bhopal tapasmitra@spabhopal.ac.in
curriculum vitae. skills: office
Word Excel Powerpoint
2D
AutoCAD Rhinoceros
3D/bim
Rhinoceros + Grasshopper SketchUp Archicad Revit
3D rendering
Rhinoceros V-Ray Cinema 4D Sketchup Twinmotion Lumion
image
Photoshop Lightroom InDesign Illustrator
others
professional experience: 2019
Intern Architect_ Jan-Jul (6 months)
Architectural Design Concept Sketching Analysis Vizualization Photography Model Making Multi-tasking Typography
Bharati Vidhyapeeth Super Speciality Hospital Campus Pune --
academic works: 2015
Dream House Ibiza Spain
2016
Weaver’s House Chanderi Madhya Pradesh
---
-----
Air India Museum Mumbai MH Resort Ganpatipule MH
2018
High Rise Mixed Use Tower Bhopal Madhya Pradesh
2019
Re-envisioning the Market Town of Bairagarh Bhopal
2020
Maritime Museum & Urban Park Haji Bunder Port Mumbai
2016
Conference of Indian Institute of Interior Designers Bhopal Smart Cities Bhopal
2016
2018
Smart Railway Station for Smart Cities: Redevelopment of Bhopal Railway Station Bhopal
live construction drawings interior design service & electrical layouting custom furniture design and standarization for cost efficient manufacturing.
competitions:
workshops & conferences: 2015
worked on the approval drawings for the masterplan live construction drawings interior & furniture design and standarization for cost efficient manufacturing.
DY Patil School Pune
Meditation Centre Munnar Kerala 2017
Swapnil Patil + Partners Pune India
2017
Integral Studio, school of planning & architecture Bhopal Annual National Design Competition NASA India
40
L.I.K Trophy NASA India
10
The Black Taj unfuse
50
G - Sen Trophy NASA India 2018
Miami Beach Restaurant Pavillion Design
2019
Student Charrette, World Architecture Festival
361Âş : Resilient Cities Mumbai
02
Con______________________ part 01: academic & competition projection.
01.
/ Maritime Museum +
01 - 24
Urban Park
02.
/ The Black Taj:
25 - 30
An Incomplete Memory of the Mughal Empire.
03.
/ Re-envisioning the Market
31 - 42
Town of Bairagarh
04.
/ Urban Grasslands: The Way of the Future.
43 - 48
_______tent.
part 02: professional experience.
05.
/ Swapnil Patil + Partners
49- 58
Interior Design/Construction Drawings/Model Making.
part
03: written works.
06.
/ Research Paper:
59 - 60
Understanding the Effect of International Architecture on the Public Places of Developing Global Cities: An Indian Perspective.
07.
/ WAF Entry:
The Art of Unravelling Architecture
61 - 62
part 01: Academic + Competition Projects.
01. / Maritime Museum + Urban Park U. Grad Thesis 2020 | Solo Project | Public Architecture | Bult Up: 26,000 sq.m | Location: Mumbai Keywords: Role of Public Buildings, Sustainability, Integration, Urban Oasis, Experiential Spaces
As part of a masterplan to redevelop the Portside of Mumbai City, this project attempts to address both the country’s maritime history and the city’s urgent need for open and public spaces. The project explores the role of public buildings as well as addresses the need for public spaces in the city.
01
View: This view captures the public nature of the project. The dynamic expression of the structure is to capture the choppy waters and the angular shape of the ship. 02
_Why a Maritime Museum? Evolution Map. Steps Forward: a Township.
FUTURE
The main objective of the township, is to open up the Eastern Waterfront to the public by developing tourism and recreational activities.
Under Utilized.
NOW
Studies conducted by the Mumbai Port Trust reveal that about 80% of the 120 Ha land parcel that is to be developed is under utilized / misused / abandoned.
Rich History.
THEN
The rich history of the site not only justifies the development of a maritime museum but also showcases the evolution of Mumbai.
03
04
_Location | Inside the Concrete Jungle Context Map. Greater Mumbai, Maharastra Latitude: 18.5848O | Longitude: 72.512201O
Area of Immediate Impact
Slum
Lo c a l Tr a i n L i n e
Freeway
Wa t e r
Open Spaces
The Need for Public Open Spaces in Mumbai.
28%
22%
28% (235 km) 28%
12%
(103 km)
(235 km) (235 km)
24% 24% 24%
63%63% 63%
(204 km) (204 km) (204 km)
(103 km) (103 km)
Forest/Others
1.1m /person
(39km) (39km)
(463 (463 km) (463 km)
km)
2009
1967
1925
open space per capita (mumbai)
11% (39km) 11%
(191 km) (191 km)
12% 12%
11%
22% 22% (191 km)
Urban Area
Mangroves
[total open space per person / total area in greater mumbai ] * 100 =
2
05
0.216%
_Site & Form Development
1. Orientation: The visibility of the building from the eastern portside is essential. This orientation maximizes the visiblity to the surrounding lands parcels as well the in-bound cruise ships.
2. Exploding: The building footprint is divided based on the functions of the building and after retaining the existing flora of the site.
3. Angles & Waves: The angular form of the building is inspired by the waves of the Ocean and the Ships & Boats that cruise them. The tension & dynamic qualities innate to these lines represents the maritime experience.
4. Networked Public Spaces: Taking advantage of the foliage and building placement, an organic network of public open spaces is created. This enables public interaction with not only the site but also the building. 06
_Site Plan
Public Parking Kids Play
Playgrou Entrance Gateway
OAT
Employee Parking
Loading Unloading
Publ Amen
Museum Block Admin & Auditorium
Sports Area
Mangrove Forest
Group Activity
07
Indian Maritime University
und
Commercial Expansion Block
lic nities Street Beach
Forest Art Plaza
08
_Site Elements
Forest Art Plaza. A Cultural Pathway. This walkway under the trees was developed as an initiative to sustain the existing thick forestation while still finding a way to get the public to fully engage with the space. A shaded open air museum for displaying public art in a playful and relaxing environment of swings and hammocks.
09
Mangrove Forest. Renaturalizing the Waterfront. The perils of global warming, the resulting climate change and the rising water levels highlight the importance of the mangrove forests. These trees had once lined the shores of Mumbai, acting as natural flood protectors. Away from the buzz of the city, this area forms a walkway, enclosed by nature.
10
_Exploded Isometric View
St r u c t u r a l System
Library
11
Exhibition Space
Galleries
Cafe + Gift Shop Area
T
To i l e t
Shared Space w/ Maritime University
Au d o t o r i u m s
Office
12
Play Area
St a f f Ve r t i c a l Circulation
V i s i t o r Ve r t i c a l Circulation
_The Circulation | Museum Spaces
-01 | Vintage Boats Gallery
-01 | Commercial Exhibit Gallery
-01 | Indian Navy Gallery
-01 | Atrium
00 - 0 Well
Entry Exit
00 | Interpretation 00 | Maritime
Hub
Connectivity
13
Exit/Entry Point
01 | Sculpture Gallery
01 | Aquatic Gallery
02 | Sea & Beach Exp Room + Vedic & Ancient Era Gallery
02 | Public Viewing Deck
02 | Memory
Ro u t e A Ro u t e B C o n n e c t i n g Pa t h w a y s D e c i s i o n M a k i n g Po i n t s
14
_The Journey I | Museum Spaces
01. Substation 02.Ticketing Counter 03. Ticketing Office 04. Surveillance Room 05. Pantry + Seating
06. Toilets 07. Entry 08.Maritime Connection Exhibit 09. Interpretation Hub 10. Toilets
11. Way to Atrium 12. Way to Memory Well 13. Staff Offices 14. Water Treatment Unit 15. Staff Vertical Connection
01. 04. 02.
03.
05. 06.
14. 08. 09. 07. 13. 09. 09. 15.
10. 11. 12.
0 5
Plan: Level 00 15
10
15
Entry & Interpretation Hub. The interpretation hub provides information to the visitor about the current trends of the maritime world. It also, briefly explains the history of the site and major spaces within the museum.
Memory Well. The Memory Well takes the visitor on a reverse historic tour of the world's Maritime History. Relief spaces are provided at intervals, to refresh the visitors. While one can exit the Well at each level, these points are lined with either attractive exhibits or activities, to make the continous circulation alluring.
16
_The Journey II | Museum Spaces
Central Atrium. The naturally ventilated and lit center of the Museum showcases the largest exhibit. It also provides a strong visual connection to the various spaces spread over multiple floors.
Section: 3-3' 17
Sculpture Gallery. This view captures the criss cross visual connections the museum offers. Here we can see the intricate Jaali system used to enable natural ventilation within the building and the glimmering roof of the memory well.
18
_The Journey III | Museum Spaces 01. Memory Well 05. Vertical Circulation 02. Information Desk 06. Toilets 03. Sculpture Gallery 07. Aquatic Life & Awareness Gallery 04. Bridge to Experience Rooms
01. Exit from Memory Well 02. Oberservation Deck 03. Vedic + Ancient Era 04. Black Room - Edge of the Earth 05. Experience/Simulation Room
06. Toilets 07. Staff Control Room 08. Staff Vertical Circulation 09. Bridge to Sculpture Gallery 10. Vertical Circulation
04. 03. 02.
08.
01.
05.
09. 01.
06.
06.
07.
07.
02. 03.
Plan: Level 01
Plan: Level 02
04.
10.
05.
0 5
10
15
Aquatic Life Gallery. The aquatic gallery continues to highlight about maritime activities and its effects on marine life. The projection of ocean life on one side attracts users to this corner of the building. 19
Sea & Beach Experience Rooms. The simulation rooms use the natural high speed sea breeze at the elevations of 24m to induce and tells the story of the early sea farers when it went against their logic to venture into the sea.
Further, it tries to capture the wind to simulate boat expeditions into the sea through visually interactive boat steering simulations and the constant fluttering of the sails in the background.
20
_Admin Block
Admin Entry. A grand entry into the block with plenty of space to gather and move around. The space leads to the auditoriums and the viewing deck.
+24 m +20 m +16 m
+11 m +7 m
Elevation: B
21
Viewing Deck. This publically accessible space acts as both a relief space for the museum visitors as well as a standalone destination for the public to view the city in the backdrop of the Arabian Sea.
Section: 6-6’
Key Plan 22
_Public Amenities Block
Courtyard_Public Amenities Interior. The light well enabled courtyard helps both in ventilating the space and lights up the entire area with natural daylight. It also provides visual access to multiple levels.
+20 m +16 m +11 m +7 m +5 m
Section: 8-8’
Key Plan Key Plan 23
_Sustainable Techniques Passive Cooling | Fish Scale Fenestration_Jaali
Symbolism: Pictorial: Fish Scales Japanese: Wind Chinese: Water
Pathway_Public Amenties Exterior.
Mirrored Glass / causes the Jaali to shimmer in the sunlight and brings rays of sunlight into the building.
Micro-Wire Mesh / filters dust & sand particles.
Zinc Scales / the shiny finish highlights the facade treatment similar to fish scales.
24
The panels between the Zinc Scales are placed at a 45o angle to discourage birds from sitting on the Jaali.
02. / The Black Taj:
An Incomplete Memory of the Mughal Empire. UNfuse 2017 | Monument Design | Group Project | Area: 33 Acres | Location: Agra Keywords: Public Engagement, Parametric Design, Sustainability, Form Finding
The brief of the competition called for an idea that would exhibit the achievements and contributions of the Mughal Dynasty right next to the Taj Mahal, which depicts the summit of the Mughal Empire. The Black Taj Mahal was supposed to be a legendary black marble mausoleum that was planned to be built across the Yamuna River directly opposite the Taj Mahal. Mughal emperor Shah Jahan is widely believed to have desired a mausoleum for himself similar to the one he had built in memory of his deceased wife, Mumtaz Mahal.
25
26
_Concept The Proposal. Our proposal is an intervention which celebrates the glorious past of the Mughal Empire through their elements and activities designed for the present context all the while keeping in mind the future of the Mughal legacy and the city of Agra. We aim to create a holistic experience showcasing an integration of the Mughal heritage with the present contextual demands of a modern day Indian city.
Urban Morphology.
Dispropotionate Built/Green area ratios causes > urban heat island efffect > globalwarming > pollution in the city etc.
Addressing the present hazardous environmental condiition in the city of Agra and its effect on the health of the people as well as the white monument, we proposed > integrating both the built and the unbuilt. 27
Form Development. Proposal is a romantic imagination of symbol of love, Taj Mahal. We choose to insert a photonegative of Taj Mahal, which would symbolise as a counter part of Taj Mahal.
Built space also forms foot print of our structure. This overlapping also symbolises very significant islamic pattern.
Built Space
Landscape
Combination of Built and Landscape
Site Zoning.
+ Charbagh
Tessellating Pattern
Water Body
Transition Space
Passive Recreational Space
Active Recretional Space
Main Entrance
28
_Inside the Space
Pathway to the Missing Piece. As one of the pathways to the main monument, this view captures the concept of the design.
Landscape
Food Court
Museum
29
OAT
Museum Interior. The interiors of the museum stands out with traditional patterns and elements integrated into the spatial design.
Substructure Plaza. The majority of the built structure is under the surface landscaping. This zone includes the museum and the food plaza of the project.
River Front
Taj Mahal
30
03. / Re-envisioning the Market Town of Bairagarh IX Sem 2019 | Urban Design | Group Project | Location: Bhopal Keywords: Indian Market Towns, Designing with the Public, Research & Study
The task for this, IX Sem Urban Design Studio, project was to study and understand the functioning of a part of Bhopal City culminating with a design proposal. The large areas of the sites called for a group activity for the study of the region and then provides design outputs in much smaller sub-groups. The project not only helped in giving me an insight into the complexities of an Indian market based settlement but also realise my capabilities to function and lead in a large group study and execution.
31
32
_Introduction About Bairagarh. Bairagarh was a locality near Bhopal, which has now become a part of the city. The locality is dominated by the Sindhi colony who found refuge here after the IndiaPakistan partition. Some people even claim that after the partition, Bairagarh has become the national capital of Sindh. Today, Bairagarh has developed as the wholesale market for Bhopal providing the supplies of cloth, electronics and consumables to the Bhopal market.
The Essense of Bairagarh. दुकान = Shop | मकान = Home 33
_Analysis | Socio-Cultural Features People of Bairagarh.
Inferences.
34
_Analysis | Mapping Building Use & Activity.
Morning
Afternoon
Night
Activity - Pedastrian Flow Intensity
Fruit Vendors Food Carts Tea Stall
Overall Temporal Character 35
Shop Typology.
Inferences. Concentration of commercial activities:
No Relief Space for public interactions:
> Better acessibility to the interiors, away from the
>
The lack of basic relief or gathering spaces discourages residents from engaging in daiily group activities. New pockets have to be discovered/ created to provide relief spaces for the residents.
main road, could relive the overcrowded Chanchal Road node.
Combinations of vertical distribution of functions:
> The “Trade House� concept has resulted in vertical stacking of functions where the ground floor is given commercial priority.
Residence Wholesale
36
Retail Godown
_Renovative Interventions | Chanchal Road Element | the Asymmetric Squares.
Users. People, Audience & Personas A more intimate public square. Pedestrian friendly zone for both the fixed & floating population of Bairagarh.
Problems Over-Congestion of Existing Squares: > chaotic & overly populated throughout the day > lack of alternatives Lack of Designated Parking Spots: > leads to parking of both 2 & 4 wheelers in every open space available
Chanchal Square > 37
Design Strategies.
Free-Walk Zone Shops Greenscaping Community Gathering Space Vertical Parking
Proposed Asymmetric Square | Plan
Section | A-A’
Section | B-B’
Lack of Imageability: > this street plays a very important role in the upcoming ribbon development > commercial establishments popping up > poor image hinders public flow
Lack of Basic Utilities for the Residents: > residents still have to move to the main market even for their daily necessities
38
_Renovative Interventions | Chanchal Road Element | the Unclogged Streets.
Users. People, Audience & Personas Most public element of the three designed. Carters to the entire, fixed & floating, population of Bairagarh.
Problems The Building-Street Interface: > loosely knit building-street interface > no by-laws drafted or followed here from the time of inception
The Street Edges: Pathways misued for: > displaying/stacking shop products > roadside parking encroachment 39
Design Strategies. 0A | 07m Wide Road:
0B | 03m Wide Road:
0C | 1.5m Wide Road:
- 700mm | bioswale to collect stormwater | green buffer for shade and imageability - 2000mm footpath - 7000mm carriage way
- vertical plantations + intermediate landscaping between home entrances - 2000mm footpath + 2 wheeler transit
- punctures | light wells with vertical access - intermediate landscaping
Green Buffer for shade and visual coherence.
Bioswales along the street for efficient and sustainable stormwater collection.
Seating Spaces spread throughout the street for a comfortable pedestrian experience.
Street View.
Lack of Storm-water Drainage: > lack of road drains results in extreme water clogging in the monsoon season > the area gets a water supply for one-hour, every alternate day.
The Derelict State of the 1-1.5m wide Lanes: > poor hygienic and aesthetical values 40
_Renovative Interventions | Chanchal Road Element | the Labyrinth of Terraces.
Users. People, Audience & Personas Most private and personalizable space out of the three elements taken. Caters to the residents of Bairagarh.
Problems Over-Saturated Ground: > high commercial demand for land > lack of available recreational space for residents Poor Livability > Out Migration: > not appealing to the younger generation anymore > lack of importance & investment to open spaces > keep shop here & home somewhere else 41
Design Strategies.
An oasis of potential common spaces on a different level.
Terraces with similar heights and mutual consensus of owners, clubbed together to create larger open spacces.
The narrowest lanes have been redesigned to accommodate light-wells and access to terraces.
Iteration of Possible Terrace Functions.
Left to Right > Commercial Terraces |
Neighborood Gatherings. Left to Right > Shared Private Terraces (as per
User discretion).
42
04. / Urban Grasslands: The Way of the Future. NASA 2017 | Conceptual Masterplan | Group Project | NASA G_Sen Trophy | Location: Bhopal Keywords: Future Cities, Parametric Design, Sustainability, Research, Community Resources
The brief called for us to imagine urban futures and visualizing cities through architecture. It was an exercise to acknowledge the long term effect each building has on the environment and to revisit the role of architecture as a polemical medium. We had to choose a city and chose, our resident city, the City of Lakes, Bhopal.
43
44
_Research | Lake’s Reflection on the City Evolution of Bhopal | Expansion Around the Lakes.
2010
1970
1930
All Giving | Benefactions of the Lakes.
Water Supply
Flora
Tourism
Piscifauna
Spatial Organization
Fauna
Micro Climate
Boating
45
Recreation
Fishing
Farming
_Research | City’s Reflection on the Lake Current Trajectory of Bhopal | Cities in 30 Years.
All Taking | Damage Caused to Lakes & Ecosystem.
Global Warming
Human Activities
Declining Ground Water
Loss of Bio Diversity
Increasing Land Coverage 46
Reduced Catchment Area
Loss of Green Coverage
_Design _Intent. Rising demands and environmental degradation put immense stress on the natural resources. People are reinforced to be greedy in this culture. Can architecture be concerned about preserving nature and replenishing resources and not the human greed? Can architecture help reduce the stress on natural resources?
| Community Managed Resources |
_Elements.
Biophilic Architecture
Modular Zones
Energy Efficiency
Bio Retention
Increased Awareness
Wildlife Integration
Biomimicry
_Technologies.
Transport
Bio_Retention
Voronoi
The smart routing system will autonomously drive the vehicles and join together modules. When modules are attached, passengers are redistributed to optimize occupancy, energy consumption and traffic footprint is reduced.
Storm water is collected into the treatment area which consists of a grass buffer strip, sand bed, ponding area, organic layer or mulch layer and plants. This helps cleanse the run-off water.
Voronoi diagram is a partition of a plane into regions close to each of a given set of objects. The city is divided in zones around a central water body. Each zone is then equipped with the necessary infrastructure.
City Layout. 2 1
01. 02. 03. 04. 05. 06. 07.
3
47
Water Body (Voronoi Center) Nodes (Commercial + Residential) Interzonal Corridors Residential Tower Wilderness Corridors Healing Pods Transpiration Catchers (Recreational Space)
4
2
3
6
7
1
48
5
part 02: Professional Experience.
05. / Swapnil Patil + Partners
Interior Design/Construction Drawings/Model Making. VII Sem 2019 | Semester Internship | Location: Pune Keywords: Construction Drawings, Parametric Design, Masterplanning, Interior Design
During my six month internship at Swapnil Patil + Partners I got the opportunity to work on projects of varying scales. I was assigned and tasked with important aspects of projects & client and contractor meetings after a very short period. Witnessing my work taking form was an almost surreal experience. What was till then a very theoretical exercise during my studio hours transformed into realityv.
49
50
_Interior Design | Tree Column Seatings Circular Tree Column.
51
Triangular Tree Column.
52
_Construction Drawings | Oncology Building
53
_Approval Drawings | University Renovation
54
_Interlocking Model | School Building
55
_Interlocking Model | Tree Columns Circular Tree Column.
Triangular Tree Column.
56
_Furniture Design | Standardization Hospital Building | Entire Furniture Layout & Cutting.
The Brief: As part of a brand new hospital project, Bharathi Vidhyapeet Super Speciality Hospital, I was tasked with the standization and re-design of the entire furniture layout in the hospotal. From doctor’s desk to waiting rooms. From receptions desks to office spaces and storage. The principle behind the exercise was to design furnitures to the dimensions of the local market materials. This included cutting plans for each and every piece in order to mass produce and give the client a very budget friendly proposal.
57
58
part 03: Written Works.
06. / Research Paper: Understanding the Effect of
International Architecture on the Public Places of Developing Global Cities: An Indian Perspective. X Sem 2020 | Academic Research | Location: India Keywords: Research, Global Cities, Contextualized Globalization, Rapid Urbanization
Abstract. Studied and marked as one of the countries with the highest urbanization rates, today and in the coming future, India is on the spotlight for how it will counter this challenge. This is the trend of the century, fast growing urban developments under the influence of globalization. The pressure to remain a competitive force on the global economy has led many cities down the same path. So much so that most of them look exactly like each other. In a way is this where the Smart City initiative in India is going? The objective of this paper is to understand the phenomenon of globalization and segregate the positives of a global connection of cities worldwide while still retaining the local essence of an Indian public place. In this paper public places are studied as a combination of public buildings and public open spaces. The study will be conducted by analysing the precedents of globalization on other non-western countries, the steps taken by the Indian government to address India’s urbanization challenge, features of Indian public spaces as well as contextual architecture and why it is at risk now.
Where? Anywhere.
new york ?
hong kong ?
london ? 59
prague ?
moscow ?
Methodology Flowchart.
Conclusion. As Michelle Addington mentions, “Technology is often considered the handmaiden of design and, as such, is meant to be subordinate: design is the why and the what, whereas technology is the how-to”. Today, with International Style architecture and standardized design, technology has become the answer to all problems. Heavy reliance on modern technology has crippled the designs ability to address the context and respond accordingly. While globally comprehendible spaces are essential in a global city expecting foreign footfall, locally alienating designs dissuade efficient and optimum use of the public places. We must therefore ask whether the philosophy of being global is about a “one size fits all”, or is it about acknowledging and learning from the plurality of the worlds’ cultures? 60
07. / WAF Entry: The Art of Unravelling Architecture The Art of Unravelling Architecture: Reinstating Flows in UCIL Bhopal Industrial Scape Reinstating Flows in UCIL Bhopal Industrial Scape Premise:
IX Sem When 2019 a| World Architecture Festival Student Group Work | Location: Bhopal city confronts a catastrophe, the |event tearsCharette through its| physical and emotional core. The Keywords: Conservation Architecture, Monument + Public Space Designso does the coreResearch, envisaged to be the hub for moving parts, stalls abruptly and indeterminatelyentire socio-economic continuum. The flows get eviscerated, scarring the city’s collective memory. City and its people are left in a state of ‘solastalgia’- all alone battling for survival.
Premise.
Background: When a city confronts a catastrophe, the event tears through its physical and “You die if you breathe, and you die if you don’t.” On the fateful night of December 2, 1984, 30,000 emotional core. The core envisaged to be the hub for moving parts, stalls people died gasping for air, as the city of Bhopal was engulfed in deadly Methyl Isocyanate gas. abruptly and indeterminately- so does the entire socio-economic continuum. The world’s worst industrial disaster didn’t just silence thousands but was also merciless to The flows get eviscerated, scarring the city’s collective memory. City and its the living and unborn. It is an example of how an event can translate into a community overnight; areshared left in fate. a state ‘solastalgia’allBhopal’s alone battling survival. from an not by people choice, but On of a global discourse, identity for transformedancestral to an afflicted city.
Figure 1: Site Evolution (Source: Authors)
UCIL Industrial Scape: Bhopal, one of India’s architecturally and culturally affluent cities, was venerated as the face of ‘Green Revolution’ in the 1950's; hence, the establishment of ‘transformative’ Union-Carbide India Limited (UCIL) pesticide plant in Arif Nagar. The site was an embodiment of Bhopal’s transience- from royal grounds to military station, then transport hub to industrial use. Acquisition of such prime land in 1969, was the first instance wherein UCIL portrayed their gross capitalist ideologies onto the city. From a flourishing political and social core, the area progressively became peripheral post-disaster, with a multi-layered, intertwined set of issues. Base Map Areas of Contamination Buildings of Heritage Value 2
61
Figure 2: Site Understanding (Source: Authors)
Issues: ● Contaminated Site- Prolonged c neighborhood communities.
●
•
Preserve by refacing the existing high-value structures as junk sculptures to capture their historic value. Phase 2: Post site decontamination. Demolishing dilapidated and low-value structures to clear out space for facilitating further growth of local market. This phased development of the market space rejuvenates the pre-existent flows of the site while also encouraging a unique identity.
Figure 4: Factory Refaced - Junk Sculptures (Source: Authors)
Factory Refaced - Junk Sculptures.
A Proposal.
Conclusion: In this insensitive world of capitalism, where humanity is reduced to a commodity, In this insensitive world of capitalism, where humanity is reduced to a commodity, trauma and trauma and grief are a mere selling point to purchase the revenue through grief are a mere selling point to purchase the revenue through global empathy. The question global empathy. The question arises, how long will the people survive through arises, how long will the people survive through such willful apathy? Our intervention presents the such willful Our intervention presents the community with a chance community withapathy? a chance to rebuild itself, by providing a space that not only transforms to teach to rebuild itself, by providing a space that not only transforms them how to accept their past, but also embrace the space in their own manner. Ittois teach throughthem these how accept theirofpast, but also the space in socio-economic their own manner. It is innateto choices, people Arif Nagar wouldembrace get to enhance their own conditions, and transform the existing industrial-scape into a cultural-scape that exudes a resurgent flow -a through these innate choices, people of Arif Nagar would get to enhance their symbol of self-sustenance, an egalitarian community in response to the industrial-scape crony capitalism. into own socio-economic conditions, and transform the existing
a cultural-scape that exudes a resurgent flow - a symbol of self-sustenance, an egalitarian community in response to the crony capitalism. 5
Figure 3: Drifting Cores (Source: Authors)
The identified cores of Bhopal drinfting away from the site of the accident. The ravaged industrial-scape portrays a ‘heterotopia’- a reality incompatible with the world outside. The perpetual discontinuity and dissipated flows has left all the current economic, political and social possibilities unrealized. 4
Peripheral Punctures - Introduction of Permeability.
62
thank you. aditya.unnithan01@gmail.com +91_7582036550
a d i t ya u n n i t h a n